scholarly journals Reframing Literacy in Adult ESL Programs: Making the case for the inclusion of identity

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Functional Literacy ◽  
Esl Programs ◽  
Adult Esl ◽  
Australian Context ◽  
Sense Of Identity

Adult  ESL  programs  in  the  Australian  context  are  heavily  influenced  by  neo-liberal notions  of  functional  literacy  and  numeracy.  This paper argues that such notions, designed to enable the learner to function within the workplace or community can fail to acknowledge the complexity of ESL program participation for adult learners. This may be considered especially so for pre-literate learners from refugee backgrounds who have low or minimal levels of literacy in their own language and are hence negotiating a new skill set, a new culture and arguably a new sense of identity. This paper is based on research which points to the need to position the learning of literacy and numeracy in the ESL context as a social and educational journey made meaningful by a learner's sense of (emerging) identity.  In this context a holistic, socially orientated  understanding  of  their  learning  and  their progress  is  preferable  to  an approach  which  views  and  evaluates  learners  against  preconceived  functional  literacy skills. The participants in this study were people of refugee background from Africa with minimal literacy skills.

Supporting Immigrant Families and Rural Schools: The Boundary-Spanning Possibilities of an Adult ESL Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Dunn Shiffman
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Immigrant Families ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Esl Programs ◽  
School District Leaders ◽  
Adult Esl ◽  
The Right ◽  
K 12

Purpose: There has been a significant increase in the number of immigrant families moving to rural communities across the United States. Yet limited research exists that explores relationships between immigrant families and schools in these communities. Rural school districts are often challenged by insufficient resources, expertise, and infrastructure to respond. Adult English as a second language (ESL) programs can be valuable partners. This article explores how instructors in a regional adult ESL program supported relationships between immigrant families and schools in a rural Virginia school district. Research Methods: A case study was conducted between 2014 and 2015. Data collection included observations of adult ESL classes; semistructured interviews with adult ESL instructors, parents of school-age children, and school district leaders and teachers; open-ended questions on a parent survey; and documents. Findings: Four interrelated practices of the adult ESL instructors facilitated understanding and communication between immigrant families and K-12 educators. Adult ESL instructors disseminated information, explained cultural norms and expectations, coached family-school interactions, and created opportunities to connect families and educators. Supporting conditions included characteristics of the adult ESL classes, district leadership and sense of urgency, and multilayered relationships of professionals and actions of the adult ESL coordinator. Implications for Practice: Given the right conditions, adult ESL programs can be valuable partners for rural education leaders seeking to strengthen engagement with immigrant families. These programs can facilitate linkages between schools and adult ESL learners who are parents or caregivers and can be a professional development resource for building district capacity to engage with immigrant families.

Moving Beyond the One-Shot for Professional Development

2014 ◽  
pp. 1673-1684
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Blakesley
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Library Instruction ◽  
Conference Presentations ◽  
Information Literacy Skills ◽  
The One

Conference presentations and vendor demonstrations are valuable, and these options often seem more economical as well. However, the benefits that can be gained for an individual and the institution from attending an intensive institute cannot be underestimated. Among the benefits of an intensive institute are gaining more in-depth knowledge about the topic, learning and collaborating more through the extended schedule, greatly enhanced opportunities for networking and learning from peers, and taking part in a learning community. This chapter will discuss these benefits and others. Just as research shows that semester-long courses can be more effective for developing information literacy skills than one-shot library instruction sessions, intensive institutes can provide a much richer professional development opportunity than an hour-long conference presentation. For adult learners, this type of environment can be much more valuable for short-term and long-term benefits.

Developing and Managing Digital/Technology Literacy and Effective Learning Skills in Adult Learners

2013 ◽  
pp. 394-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Hsu ◽  
Zhongxian Wang ◽  
Karin Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Adult Learner ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Technology Literacy ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Computing Skills ◽  
Improved Learning

The needs of adult learners are different from those of traditional undergraduate students, and programs must be designed to meet this need. In particular, digital and technology literacy needs, including general computing skills, computerized communications, online and distance learning, and Web 2.0 tools make navigating coursework an additional challenge. In this paper, the authors examine the technology and digital literacy needs and backgrounds of adult learner students and discuss research on the interaction between technology and adult learner education. Using the features of intensive weekend classroom sessions, on-line distance learning, and specialized teaching methods, an improved learning environment tailored to unique needs and career goals can be offered to business undergraduate adults. An important component is the development of technology and digital literacy skills to “fill the gaps” of students who may have extensive business or working experience, but are less than proficient in the use of technology. More depth and analysis is given to the following areas: digital and technology skills and knowledge improvement, pedagogical features, the use of intensive weekend and evening sessions, and the role of distance learning to supplement the classroom sessions.

scholarly journals Doing Content and Language Integrated Learning With a Minority Language: A Teacher Development Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Marcella Menegale ◽  
Ada Bier
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Development ◽  
New Teacher ◽  
Minority Language ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Teacher Autonomy ◽  
Development Model ◽  
Teaching Skills ◽  
Minority Languages ◽  
Educational Goal ◽  
Functional Literacy

Recent research suggests that minority languages cannot be lastingly revitalised unless related functional literacy skills become an explicit educational goal. Focussing on the Friulian minority language in Italy, this paper discusses the importance of developing literacy skills in the minority language. In line with this, a new teacher development model in CLIL has been conceived and piloted with a small group of teachers of Friulian. The findings of the study suggest that the model was effective in relation to both the development of teaching skills in CLIL and in literacy related issues and, more in general, to the promotion of teacher autonomy.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Effectiveness and Functionality of Professional Learning Communities in Adult ESL Programs

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn L. Abbott ◽  
Kent K. Lee ◽  
Marian J. Rossiter
Keyword(s):  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Esl Programs ◽  
Adult Esl ◽  
Langue Seconde ◽  
Groupes De Discussion

In this article, we describe and evaluate a research utilization initiative designed to bridge the teaching English as a second language (TESL) research-practice gap by fostering the formation of and supporting professional learning communities (PLCs) in adult ESL instructional contexts. We review literature on teachers’ professional reading, learning, and development. We use Guskey’s (2014) professional learning evaluation framework and Hord’s (2009) six critical dimensions of PLCs to assess the effectiveness and functionality of PLCs in nine adult ESL programs. Five years of data collection included focus group interviews, professional learning community discussions, monthly online surveys, and a final follow-up survey. Data were analyzed in relation to (a) the five levels in Guskey’s framework: participants’ reactions, participants’ learning, organization support and change, participants’ use of new knowledge and skills, and student learning outcomes; and (b) the functionality of the PLCs. Results indicate that researcher supported PLCs can be effective in assisting teachers to address their professional development needs and goals. However, the interest and enjoyment experienced by participating in the PLCs, and ultimately the sustainability of the PLCs, also depend on the groups’ social and professional capital. We provide suggestions for future research and for the creation and maintenance of PLCs in TESL. Dans cet article, nous décrivons et évaluons une initiative de recours à la recherche conçue pour faire le pont entre la recherche et la pratique dans l’enseignement de l’anglais langue seconde (TESL) en favorisant la formation et le soutien des communautés d’apprentissage professionnelles (CAP) dans des contextes d’enseignement de l’anglais langue seconde (ESL) aux adultes. Nous étudions la documentation sur les habitudes de lecture, l’apprentissage et le perfectionnement des enseignants. Nous utilisons le modèle d’évaluation de la formation continue de Guskey (2014) et les six dimensions critiques des CAP afin d’évaluer l’efficacité et la fonctionnalité des CAP de Hord (2009) dans neuf programmes d’enseignement de l’anglais langue seconde aux adultes. Recueillies sur une période de cinq ans, les données de l’étude proviennent d’entrevues réalisées au sein de groupes de discussion, de discussions au sein de CAP, de sondages mensuels en ligne et d’un sondage de suivi fi nal. Les données ont été analysées en relation avec (a) les cinq niveaux du modèle de Guskey (2014): la réaction des participants, l’apprentissage des enseignants, le soutien organisationnel face au changement, l’utilisation par les enseignants des nouvelles connaissances et habiletés et les résultats au niveau des élèves; et (b) la fonctionnalité des CAP. Les résultats indiquent que les CAP appuyées par des chercheurs peuvent aider effi cacement les enseignants à subvenir à leurs besoins et à aĴ eindre leurs objectifs en matière de perfectionnement professionnel. Il faut toutefois signaler que l’intérêt et l’appréciation des participants d’une CAP et, en bout de ligne, la durabilité d’une CAP dépendent également du capital social et professionnel du groupe. Nous faisons des suggestions pour de futures recherches ainsi que pour la création et le maintien de CAP dans le domaine de l’enseignement de l’anglais langue seconde.

scholarly journals Literacy Skills as a Barrier to Inservice Training

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 9-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Geeslin ◽  
Patricia W. York
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Elementary School Teachers ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Inservice Training ◽  
Summer Institute ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Preservice Training ◽  
Functional Literacy ◽  
Teacher Trainer

This article presents the results of the administration of the Nelson-Denny Reading Test to three populations: (1) two groups of elementary school teachers assigned for inservice training, (2) elementary school teachers who volunteered for inservice training and also volunteered to participate in a research study, and (3) teachers participating in a summer institute. Findings indicate minimum functional literacy skills among some teachers assigned to inservice training, and evidence that even some participants in teacher trainer institutes function at levels barely literate. These findings indicate the necessity for more strict evaluation of persons completing preservice training, applying for teacher certification, applying for continuing contracts, and serving in the classroom.

Identifying and Assisting Low-Literacy Patients with Medication Use: A Survey of Community Pharmacies

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 1441-1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L Praska ◽  
Sunil Kripalani ◽  
Antoinette L Seright ◽  
Terry A Jacobson
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Low Literacy ◽  
Functional Literacy ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Limited Literacy ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Patient Literacy ◽  
Poor Medication Adherence

BACKGROUND: Nearly one-half of adult Americans have limited functional literacy skills. Low patient literacy is associated with poor medication adherence and health outcomes. However, little is known about how pharmacies address literacy-related needs among patrons. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency with which pharmacies identify and provide appropriate assistance to patients with limited literacy skills and provide specific recommendations to help improve pharmacists' recognition of low health literacy, as well as strategies to improve adherence in this population. METHODS: Through a telephone-based survey of Atlanta-area pharmacies, we obtained information on (1%) whether the pharmacy attempted to identify patients with limited literacy skills, (2%) what measures were taken by the pharmacy to optimize the health care of low-literacy patients, especially with regard to medication adherence, and (3%) what services the pharmacy offered to improve adherence in general. RESULTS: The response rate among eligible pharmacies was 96.8% (N = 30%). Only 2 (7%) pharmacies reported attempting to identify literacy-related needs among their patrons. One of these facilities provided additional verbal counseling to assist low-literacy patients, and the other pharmacy involved family members, provided verbal counseling, and had patients repeat instructions to confirm comprehension. Most pharmacies reported availability of adherence aids that could help low-literacy patients if such patients were identified and targeted to receive additional assistance. These included verbal and written counseling (offered at 73% of pharmacies), packaging or organizing aids (27%), refill services (17%), and graphic or multimedia aids (13%). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacies infrequently attempt to identify and assist patients with limited literacy skills.

scholarly journals Equipping Adult Learners with Basic Literacy Skills for Cognitive Sustainability in Lagos State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Blessing Anyikwa ◽  
Oyekunle Oyekunle Yinusa
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
State Agency ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Mass Education ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lagos State

Abstract  The non-literate adult citizens in Nigeria are often faced with the inability to apply mental intelligence in their lifestyles which is reducing their worth and relevance in the 21st century literate society. The study therefore, seeks to equip adult learners with basic literacy skills for cognitive sustainability in Lagos state, Nigeria. Four research questions were raised and answered; and four hypotheses were tested to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The instruments adopted for the study were Key Informant Interview (KII) and a Questionnaire. A 20-item questionnaire titled “Adult Learners’ Basic Literacy Skills Questionnaire”, (ALBLSQ) was developed by the researchers. The instrument was validated using content and face validity according to the standard approved by the National Mass Education Commission in Nigeria, and the State Agency for Mass Education in Lagos State, Nigeria (NMEC/NOGALSS). A total of one hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires were administered purposively to adult learners across the six NMEC/NOGALSS literacy centers in Lagos state, and one hundred and forty-five (145) were retrieved. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed using a test-retest procedure, which gave a correlation coefficient of 0.87. The data was presented using frequency distribution tables, percentages, and Bar Charts. The data was analyzed using Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient and T-test statistical tools to test the hypotheses at 0.05 significance level. The study revealed that a significant difference exists between the performance of adult learners before intervention and the performance of adult learners after intervention of the adult basic literacy programme amongst others. The study concluded and recommended that the curriculum of the adult basic literacy should be designed to have a combination of English and mother tongue language as a medium of instruction in order to aid cognitive development among adult learners, inter alia.

scholarly journals Link between Higher Education and the Community − a Model

1999 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-60
Author(s):  
Rukhsana Zia
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Functional Literacy ◽  
Downward Spiral ◽  
Grassroots Level ◽  
The Masses

Higher Education (HE) in Pakistan presents a case of the "inverted pyramid". The need of the country is to eradicate illiteracy and yet on the eve of the new millenium it stands at a humble 45 per cent. Poverty in the country is on the rise. Given the constraint of the financial resources the downward spiral is evident and yet the masses at the grassroots level could greatly benefit from increased literacy skills. Equipping them with functional literacy skills would clearly improve their quality of life. Given the two opposing trends whereby the country needs to provide massive literacy skills to its populace and the infrastructure of education heavily biased in favour of HE, an innovative approach within the education system and its mode of delivery is needed. This paper focuses on one such possibility and proposes a model to develop a link between the two to place the benefits of HE at the doorstep of the populace where it is desperately needed.

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